Coin ?

[Tractorat]

I had an interesting experience the other day. I went into a local restaurant to get a take out order. The chef ( I guess he was a chef) was standing in the lobby while I was waiting. I had grabbed one of my veterans hats ( I have 2) just because it was handy. It says "US Marine Corps Veteran". I didnt think anything about it.
Anyway, when the guy saw my hat, he said "marine corps, huh ? Then you should know what this is". He then pulled a coin out of his pocket. It was maybe the size of a silver dollar and had been painted (the paint was getting worn off).
I looked at his coin and asked him what that was. He again told me I should know what it was if I was in the marine corps. I told him, "sonny, I got out of the marine corps over 50 years ago, but Ive never seen (or heard of) any think like that. What is it ?
He said something about being in or working for the joint chief of staff. I asked him if they give you that when you get out of the army to buy a cup of coffee with at mcdonalds. He just went on to say that he did secret stuff for the joint chiefs. They didnt who he was, but they knew what he did (or something like that.
Has anyone heard of such a coin ? And whey would the army give it to you ?
Just curious.

 

[DHayden]

He may be talking about a challenge coin. Some units have "challenge" coins. If you are at a bar and someone pulls out a coin and you dont have one, your buying. Other units have coins that only "members" receive and show you served.There are other variations but thats the basics.

 

[brucejohnson]

Kinda like these? https://coinsforanything.com/?msclk...ry challenge coin&utm_content=Challenge Coins

 

[Wiredawg]

TR,

I imagine someone coined him, not necessarily a secret Sam thing... just an on the spot recognition. I joined the USAF in 1976 and was a few years before I saw the practice first hand.

I picked up a few and handed out a few. They are a special way of thanking or recognizing a military or civil service member for outstanding service or action.

EDIT: The Challenge Coin typically handed out to military unit members or members of a specific career field. I carry a Wiredawg Coin, telephone lineman/installer. If you challenge other members and they all have thier coins, you buy the drinks... if any of the members challenged doesn't have their coin, they buy the drinks.

Anyhoo, hope that helps.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Tractorat]

Thanks, never heard of it before
Interesting.

 

[GCroyle]

So I should have had a Clutch Disc coin made? I might have done well with it at eeeew work.

 

[SnoKing]

I had this made a decade or so back. On the back is my years of service, name and rank. I have secretly asked veteran friends about their time in the service(picked their brain) and had coins made for them for Christmas or other occasions.

 

[SnoKing]

https://www.medalcraft.com/nw-territorial-mint/

 

[GSykes]

Tractorat,
check: www.grunt.com
Lots of Marine gear there. Never had them when I separated either. Now it's a big thing, one of these days I guess I should get one just for the heck of it.
Semper Fi.

 

[Tractorat]

Thank,
But I got the hat
I still carry "John Wayne" on my key chain and thats enough.

 

[Wiredawg]

Semper Fidelis Brothers! Hat and John Wayne key chain are some mementos of service... A retired Gunny gave me a braided parachute cord with dog tag with wounded warrior on it. It's on my Jeep Wrangler key fob. Very nice. If you're around long enough, you end up with a few.

Thanks for sharing ... THANKS ALL of you for your service. Cheers, Ron

 

[Tractorat]

Well, in full disclosure, I also have a couple pair of jungle boots, a couple pair of cammies, dog tags, few other odds and ends, and my k-bar that I somehow was able to smuggle home. Carried that for a hunting knife a couple of years.